Alarm system



May 27, 1941. J. o. HowToN 2,243,804

ALARM SYSTEM Filed Jne 7, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 May 27, 1941.

J. O. HOWTON ALARM SYSTEM Filed June 7, '1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jamey Patented May 27, 1941 ALARM SYSTEM James O. Howton, Freewater, Oreg., assignor to Howtcn Radio Alarm Company, Seattle, Wash.

Application June 7, 1938, Serial No. 212,380

13 Claims.

This invention relates to alarm systems, and has as an object to provide in conjunction with such a system, means designed to insure that the system is properly conditioned by a person authorized to close the protected premises, as at night, and to open them, as in the morning.

`In order that the invention may be fully understood, I have shown two practical embodiments thereof, by way of example, in the accompanying drawings with reference to which explanation of the invention will be made.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 shows diagrammatically one embodiment of the invention in proper night condition.

Figure 2 shows the embodiment of Figure 1 in proper day condition.

Figure 3 shows diagrammatically a second embodiment of the invention in proper night condition, and

Figure 4 shows the embodiment of Figure 3 in proper day condition.

For the purpose of illustration the basic alarm system is assumed to be a radio alarm system such as is disclosed, for example, in my pending applications Serial No. 184,713, filed January 12, 1938, and Serial No. 191,788, led February 21. 1938.

Referring first to Figures 1 and 2, reference numeral I designates generally a radio transmitter, such as is disclosed in the above vmentioned applications, including an aerial II and a ground I2. Operation of the alarm apparatus is initiated by means of a relay whose coil is indicated at I3, and it is here assumed that an alarm will be broadcast when the relay coil, for any reason, becomes deenergized. One end of coil I3 is connected by a wire I4 with the positive side of a battery I5 which may be the storage battery as provided for the alarm message producing apparatus according to the above applications. The other end of coil I3 is in connection with an alarm or protective circuit I6, here assumed to be a, burglar circuit, which, through window switches indicated at I1 and a door switch indicated at I8, is ledl to one end of the coil I9 of a relay A. 'I'he other end of coil I9 is in connection with the negative side of battery I5 through a wire 29. It will be understood that any appropriate number and arrangement of switches may be made within the protected premises, a wall of the latter Abeing designated at 2l and a door at 22, this door being assumed to be the one designated for use by an authorized person closing `or opening the enclosed premises. It'wll be evident thatwith switches I1 and I 8 closed, as shown in Figure l, both of coils I3 and I9 are energized, and, in view of the energization of coil I3, the alarm message producing means, as above mentioned, is maintained inoperative.

Arranged in door 22, as shown at the right, Figures 1 and 2, is a lock'comprlsing a movable bolt 23, here shown as longitudinally reciprocable, adapted to be projected into a suitable recess in the adjacent wall or jamb 2l to lock the door, as shown in Figure 1. Bolt 23 is reciprocable by means of a rotary key-controlled operator 24, and is guided in any suitable manner. The bolt is provided on its upper side with a square notch 25.

Above bolt 23 is mounted a disc 26 of insulating material on a rotary key-controlled operator 21. Disc 26 has projecting fingers 28 and 29, and is provided in its lower portion with a cam slot 39 in which is engaged a pin 3I fixed on a vertically reciprocable detent member 32 which is suitably guided as by a bracket 33. With bolt 23 in unlocking position, as shown in Figure 2, notch 25 is to the right of the lower end of detent member 32. When the bolt 23 is in locking position, as in Figure 1, the detent is in register with notch 25 and may be projected into the latter upon counterclockwise rotation of its direct operator 21.

Disc 26 is provided with a square peripheral notch 34 which is engageable` by a reciprocable and suitably guided spring-urged latch member 35 when the disc is in the daytime position of Figure 2. Latch 35 is in suitable pivotal connection with an armature 36 which is associated with a coil 31,

The negative side of battery I5 is in connection through a wire 38 with the arm 39 of a switch 40, the arm being normally spring-biased to closed position but being engageable by a pad of insulation 4I on the inner end of bolt 23 when the latter is moved to unlocking position so that switch 49 is opened and held open as shown in Figure 2. The positive side of battery I5 is connected by a wire 42 with one terminal of a buzzer or other suitable signalling device 43, the other terminal of the latter being led to the ixed point of a switch 44 which includes an arm 45 normally spring-biased to switch closing position. Arm 45 is engageable by finger 29 of disc 26 to open switch 44 when the disc is rotated from the position of Figure 2 to the position of Figure 1. A further switch 4S, similar to switch 44, includes an arm 41 engageable by linger 28 to open the switch when the disc 26 is rotated from the position of Figure 2 to that of Figure i. The switch arm il is connected by a wire with wire i6 at the point 4S and the nxed contact of switch f is connected by a wire 5i! with wire 20 at the point 5i. l'nterposed in wire Eil is an adjustable resistance 52.

Relay A includes a fixed Contact 5S coimccte to wire 33 and cooperable with an arm or contactor 54 which is in connection with one end of coil 3l through a wire 55. rEhe other end of coil 31 is in connection with wire 42 through a wire 55. Relay A includes a second arm or contacter 5S movable in unison with arm 5s cooperable with Xed contacts El and arm 56 being in connection with wi -e Contact 58 is in connection with a red lamp and a wire 6b runs from the latter to wire 5.2. Wire Bil is also in connection with one side of a green lamp El whose other side is in connection with Contact 5l. Arms and 5S are normally spring-biased to the position shown in Figure 2 so that contact is broken at points 53 5l and made at point 58.

With the system in the condition shown in Figure 2, coil t. is deenergized due to the break at point E3 of relay A, and consequently latch 35 is engaged in recess It@ so as to lock disc 2d against movement. Red light shows due to the circuit established through point 53 of relay A. 'zed pei'- When the author; son leaves through door E2 and closes the same, switch I8 will be closed and if the alarm circuit l is intact, current will flow through vcoil i9 of relay A so that arms 5!! and are drawn to the position of Figure 1 into engagement with contacts 53 and El. As a result, rel light will be extinguished and green light Gl ill'show. These lights are conveniently placed so that the operator may be advised of the condition oi the alarm circuit by reason of the illumination of one or the other, the two being distinguishable by their different color. A circuit is complet through contact 53 to coil 3l' so that latch ce is retracted from notch 34 and frees disc 25 ior rotation. Switch at remains closed so that a shorting circuit for the alarm circuit is maintained through wires and 5G. This shorting circuit Vis balanced with the alarm circuit by means of resistance E2 so that in the daytime condition of the system the circuit may be tested, as required.

With door 22 closed, the person leavi-- premises locks the door so that bolt 23 position of Figure l, and switch 1s closL Disc '26 is still in the position of Figure 2 an since switch d remains closed, a signal sounded by the buzzer d3, giving a reminder that a further step has to be taken. Accordingly, by means of a keyy preferably a difiere-nt one from that required by operator the person closing the premises turns disc 2t in a counter-clockwise direction. Turning of the disc. however, will be impossible if the alarm ci cuit is not in operative condition since in that case coil 31 will be deenergized and latch 3.5 i engaged in notch 35i. On the other hand, n bolt 23 has not been locked, disc 26 cannot turned since the lower end of detent member will immediately abut the top surface of bolt 23 to the left of notch 25. Assiuning, however. l tha-t bolt 23 is inthe position of Figure that the alarm circuit is intact, disc is rotatable bythe key to cause detent memos to be engaged in notch 25 of bolt 23. to open switch 54 due to engagement of finger =v Lil) arm 45, and to open switch i5 duc to the engagement of iinger with arm t?. Bolt 2S is thus held in locking position and the buzzer and snorting circuits are broken. f the alarm circuit is now disturbed by breaking it at any point, relay coil l5 will be deenergized and an appropriate message will be broadcast.

When the premises are to be opened, disc 23 is first turned in a clockwise direction, and latch 35 cannot prevent this operation even though the alarm circuit has been disturbed and coil 3l' deenergized since in that case latch 35 will merely ride on the full periphery of disc 26 until notch .'14 is reached. liv-hen disc 25 been turned to the position of Figure 2, the shortng circuit for, the alarm circuit will have been completed due to the closing of switch 46, and due to the closing of switch Lft/i, buzzer 43 will give a signal. Detent member 32 will have been lifted clear of notch 25 so that upon moving bolt 23 to the unlocking position of Figure 2 door 22 is free to be opened and the buzzer circuit is broken at switch 4Q.

In the embodiment of the invention just dcscribed the control mechanism for the bolt and the mechanism controlled by and controlling operator disc 6 have a fixed locational arrangement, being all located in the door. In the einbodiment of Figures 3 and li, only the bolt and its operator are positioned in the door and the co-acting instrumcntalities are all positioned in. the adjacent jamb so that the wiring prei ern is somewhat simplified inasmuch as it is urine cessary to carry the circuits to a movable part. Simplication in the latter respect, it is pointed out, may also be achieved by mounting the bolt and associated instrumentalitics in the jamb. reversing the disposition shown in Figures l and 2.

Referring to Figures 3 and li, bolt 23a has jacent its outer end a notch 25ct, and is key-controlled as before. The door is designated at and the adjacent jamb or wall at 2in, the latter being provided with a recess through which the outer end of the bolt is projectible to the loc:- ng position of Figure 3.

Vertically reciprocable just inside the jarnb 2 la, and guided by screws G5 engaged in a vertical slot 66 therein, is an operator block 67 to which is rigidly secured a detent member 68. Block itl is key-controlled in its reciprocation through the operator G9. At its lower end block 61 carries a pad i3 of insulating material adapted to engage the arm of a switch ll to open the switch when the block descends. At its upper inner edge block 6l carries a linger 'l2 of insulating material adapted upon descent of the block to engage the arm of a switch 'i3 to -open the switch. At its inner edge block El is provided with a notch 'iii engageable by a latch Stia. Positioned in the path of movement of bolt 23d is a suitably guided plunger carrying an. insulating pad 'I5 adapted to engage the arm of a normally open switch 'il to close the latter. Switches il and 'il correspond respectively to switches 44 and 40 of the first embodiment and control the circuit to the buzzer Switch i3 corresponds to switch it of the first embodiment and controls 'se sliorting circuit and 55s. Coil Ela corresponds to coil Sl of the first embodiment and controls the latch 35a.

Upon closing door switch ita` will be closed, the lights will be controlled as before, and with the alarm circuit loa intact, coil 37a vill be energized latch 35a will consequently be withdrawnl from n otch 14, freeing block 61 which'is still retained frictionally. in its upper positionbf Figure 4. With bolt 23a moved to the locking position of Figure 3, switch 11 is closed and a reminder is given by buzzer 43a that a further operation must be carried out. Accordingly the person closing the premises, through operator 69, lowers block B1 to the position of Figure 3 so that detent member 68 is engaged in notch 25a, Figure 3, to hold bolt 23a in locked position. concomitantly, switches H and 13 are opened so that the buzzer and shorting circuits are broken.

It is believed that the sequence of operations necessary in opening the premises will be evident from the above.

It will be understood that the embodiments oi the invention disclosed herein are merely illustrative, and that variations in the form and arrangement of parts are possible without departure from the invention as defined in the following claims.` In referring, in the claims, to disturbance of a protective circuit, is meant the aiecting of the circuit, in a manner appropriate to the particular circuit, to disturb its normal current condition so that it is conditioned to cause operation of the alarm signal mea-ns.

I claim:

l. In an alarm system for premises including an entrance door, said system comprising a protective circuit and alarm signal producing means automatically operated upon disturbance of said circuit, the combination of a switch operable from the exterior of the door by an authorized person, a circuit across the protective circuit for shorting the protective circuit so that disturbance of the latter will not aiect the signal producing means, said switch being arranged to control said shorting circuit, and means rendering said switch inoperative to open the shorting circuit when the protective circuit is in disturbed condi-A tion.

2. In an alarm system for premises including an entrance door, said system comprising a protective circuit and alarm signal producing means automatically operated upon disturbance of said circuit, the combination of a switch operable from the exterior of the door by an authorized person, a circuit across the protective circuit for shorting the protective circuit so that disturbance of the latter will not affect the signal producing means, said switch being arranged to control said shorting circuit, means rendering said switch inoperative to open the shorting circuit when the protective circuit is in disturbed condition, said last-named means comprising a circuit controlled in dependence upon the condition of the protective circuit, electromagnetic means in said last-named circuit, and latch means controlled by said electromagnetic means.

3. In an alarm system for premises including an entrance door, said system comprising a protective circuit and alarm signal producing means automatically operated upon disturbance of said circuit, the combination of a lock for the door comprising a movable bolt, a movable detent member for holding the bolt in locked position or for releasing the bolt, a circuit across said protective circuit for shorting the protective circuit so that disturbance of the latter will not affect the signal producing means, and a switch in said shorting circuit operable concomitantly with said detent so that when said detent is in holding position said switch is open and when said de' tent is in releasing position, said switch is closed.

4. In an alarm system for premises including an entrance door, said system comprising a protective circuit and alarm signal producing means automatically operated upon disturbance of said circuit, the combination of a lock for the door comprising a movable bolt, a movable detent member for holding the bolt in locked position or for releasing the bolt, a circuit across said protective circuit for shorting the protective circuit so that disturbance of the latter will not affect the signal producing means, a switch in said shorting circuit operable concomitantly with said detent so that when said detent is in holding position said switch is open and when said detent is in releasing position, said switch is closed, and a latch member controlled from said protectivecircuit and eiective to hold the detent against movement to holding position when said protective circuit is in disturbed condition.

5. In anl alarm system for premises including an entrance door, said system comprising a protective circuit and alarm signal producing means automatically operated upon disturbance of said circuit, the combination of a lock for the door comprising a movable bolt, a movable detent member for holding the bolt in locked position or for releasing the bolt, a circuit across said protective circuit for shorting the protective circuit so that disturbance of the latter will not affect the signal producing means, a switch in said shorting circuit operable concomitantly with said detent so that when said detent is in holding position said switch is open and when said detent is in releasing position, said switch is closed, a latch member controlled from said protective circuit and effective to hold the detent against movement to holding position when said protective circuit is in disturbed condition, and means preventing holding effect of the latch member with respect to the detent member when the latter is in its holding position and the protective circuit is in disturbed condition.

6. In an alarm system for premises including an entrance door, said system comprising a protective circuit and alarm signal producing means automatically operated upon disturbance of said circuit, the combination of a lock for the door comprising a movable bolt having a notch therein, a detent member movable between positions wherein it engages in said notch to hold the bolt against unlocking movement and wherein it is free of the notch so as to release the bolt for unlocking movement, a key-actuated operator for said detent member, a circuit across said protective circuit for shorting the protective circuit so that disturbance of the latter will not aiiect the signal producing means, a switch in said shorting circuit, and control means for said switch including means operated by said operator so that the switch is open when the detent member is in holding position and is closed when the detent member is in releasing position.

7. In an alarm system for premises including an entrance door, said system comprising protective circuit and alarm signal producing means automatically operated upon disturbance of said circuit, the combination of a lock for the door comprising a movable bolt having a notch therein, a detent member movable between positions wherein it engages in said notch to hold the bolt against unlocking movement and wherein it is free of the notch so as to release the bolt for unlocking movement, a key-actuated operator for said detent member, said operator being in the form of a pivoted disc operatively associated with the detent member through cam and follower means, a circuit across said protective circuit for snorting the protective circuit so that disturbances of thD latter will not aiect the signal producing means, a switch in said shorting circuit, and control means for said switch including means Operated by said operator so that the switch is open when the detent member is in holding position and is closed when the detent member is in releasing position.

8. In an alarm system for premises including an entrance door, said system comprising a protective circuit and alarm signal producing means automatically operated upon disturbance of said circuit, the combination of a lock for the door comprising a movable bolt having a notch therein, a detent member movable between positions wherein it engages in said notch to hold the bolt against unlocking movement and wherein it is free of the notch so as to release the bolt for unlocking movement, a key-actuated operator for said detent member, said operator being in the form oi a reciprocable block to which the detent member is secured, a circuit across said protective circuit for shorting the protective circuit so that disturbance of the latter will not affect the signal producing means, a switch in said snorting circuit, and control means for said switch including means operated by saidoperator so that the switch is open when the detent member is in holding position and is closed when the detent member is in releasing position.

9. In apparatus of the class described, a locl; including a movable bolt, a movable detent member for holding the bolt in locked position or for releasing the bolt, a circuit having a signal device therein, a switch in said circuit controlled in dependence upon the movements of said detent member, said switch being closed when the fdetent member is in releasing position and open when the detent member is in holding position, and a second switch in said circuit controlled in dependence upon the movement of said bolt, said second switch being open when the bolt is in unlocking position and closed when the bolt is in locking position, said circuit being completed so that a signal is given when said bolt is in locking position and said detent member is in releasing position.

10. In an alarm system for premises including an entrance door, said system comprising a protective circuit and alarm signal producing means automatically operated upon disturbance oi said circuit, the combination of a loclr for the door comprising a movable bolt, a movable detent lmember for holding the bolt in locked position or for releasing the bolt, a circuit across said protective circuit for shorting the protective circuit so that disturbance oi the latter will not aliect the signal producing means, a switch in said snorting circuit operable concomitantly with said detent so that when said detent is in holding position said switch is open and when said detent is in releasing position, said switch is closed, a local circuit having a signalling device therein, a switch in said local circuit controlled in dependence upon the movements of said detent member, said last-named switch being closed when the detent member is in releasing position and open when the detent member is in holding position, and a second switch in said local circuit controlled in dependence upon the movements of said bolt, said second switch being open when the bolt is in unlocking position and closed when the bolt is in locking position, said local circuit being completed so that a signal is given when said bolt is in locking position and said detent member is in releasing position.

l1. A combination according to claim 6 wherein the bolt in its unlocking position blocks movement of the detent member toward holding position.

l2. A combination according to claim 3 wherelin the bolt and detent member have a fixed lolcational relation.

13. A combination according to claim 3 wherein the bolt is mounted in the door and the detent member externally of the door.

JAMES C. IIOWTON. 

